• We know of at least one candidate for the City’s new Parks Executive Director position. It’s Doug Kupper, the current director of parks and recreation for the City of Wichita, Kan. He’s interviewing Tuesday.
• The Jacksonville chapter of MAD DADS, an anti-drug, anti-crime advocacy group got some help from state Sen. Steven Wise in its budget battle. Wise urged the Council not to go along with proposed budget cuts affecting the group. “I’m concerned about the kids behind razor wire,” said Wise. “How many wouldn’t be there if they had strong role models growing up?” Wise proposed additional funding at the state level for the group, but expects a tough road there as well. “We keep funding the same ol’ same ol’ and get same ol’ same ol’ results.”
• Speaking of MAD DADS, State Rep. Don Davis has urged, in writing, City Council members to reconsider eliminating the organization from the 2005-06 budget.
• If all you want is a cup of coffee, feel free to skip the line at Panera in San Marco. Providing you’ve got exact change, just leave your money in a small box near the cafe’s coffee makers and grab a cup.
• City budget cuts have also affected the Tree Hill Nature Center. Executive Director Lucy Cortese has decided that the Lone Star Road nature center will no longer be open on Saturdays thanks to a 35.5 percent budget cut.
• BellSouth’s Jim McCollum is up for a second term as a member of the Jacksonville Airport Authority board and our own Jim Bailey is up for a second term as a member of the Downtown Design Review Committee.
• Ch. 17 is looking at installing a video camera on the Jacksonville Beach pier.
• Holland & Knight has expanded the firm’s North Florida Litigation Group with the addition of Francis “Frank” J. Marino and Christina “Chris” Schwing in the Jacksonville office.